CARING FOR GOD'S CREATION

 Proverbs 25:6-10; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Introduction

Humility is freedom from pride or arrogance. And exaltation is the action of elevating someone in rank or power. Jesus said, "...those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11). To it, success comes from one's humbleness. You can observe that, for you to jump very high, you need to squat deep. The deeper you squat, the higher you can jump. Out of your humbled attitude, you are exalted to great success.

From Luke 14:1-14, Jesus honoured the invite of a prominent Pharisee for a lunch. It was customary for such Sabbath luncheon, it was used to highlight the week. Usually, many people are invited to such banquets including visiting Rabbis or teachers. 

Jesus saw a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body - Dropsy. This is one of the diseases which the Pharisees attributed to immoral or one's own sins. Their feeling of being better than the man - pride, therefore, was high and it killed every compassion they ought to have shown him. They uphold the Sabbath rules over his healing, hence, their quietness. Jesus' touch was to humble them to care for this person as they do for themselves.

Some of the invited guests at the banquet began to take seats at places of honour at the table without regard for others. The honoured places in their case would be the immediate right and left of the host. It was also observed by Jesus that the invited guests were mainly the well to do friends and relatives who in some way would be able to reciprocate this kind gesture. With these observations, Jesus had these words of humility to share.

Beloved humility brings exaltation for the following three reasons but is not exhaustive;

1. Humility Builds Relationship

Pride is a destroyer of relationships as it takes away one's compassion for the needs of others. The Pharisees maintained their silence since they had placed their pride over and above their relationship with the diseased man. Taking the lowest seat at a gathering goes with Paul's counsel, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment" (Romans 12:3)

Jesus is not talking about one's demonstration of inferiority complex - that you take the lowest places all of the time knowing that you deserve to be in the highest seat. Meanwhile, Jesus is talking about the perspective that allows you to see the true worth of every other human being.

It is humility that will allow you to see that others are as much created in the image of God as you are and that you are just as beloved of God as I am. The writer says, "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)  Humility establishes relationships that create a network for greater heights in business, family life, groups, church, etc.

The proud, arrogant, selfish person cannot build healthy relationships with others, the longer he lives, the more isolated he will become. The Hebrew writer tells us, "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters." (Hebrews 13:1).

If you are going to make it to the top in life, a healthy relationship with others is necessary. Humility will always allow you to admit to others that you are wrong, and to ask for their forgiveness when you wrong them. Humbly saying sorry when you are wrong is not stupidity, it means you have put your relationship above your pride.

The wise man counsels that a good relationship will take you to the top whiles the bad one will bring you disgrace (Prov. 25:6-7).

Most often, people speak harshly to others because they only think of what they feel but not what others feel. You hear a statement like "As for me when I speak my mind then I am ok, the rest is not my concern". And we react to people as we deem fit without a hoot about the other person. This is wrong, the Bible says, "If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand." (Proverbs 25:9-10)

A relationship that is built in humility is the sure way to exaltation.

2. Humility is Service to Greatness

Jesus exalted that service is essential to greatness. "...the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves." Luke 22:26. 

We should not serve or give out to someone today with the mindset of getting favours. So Jesus demonized the statement, 'what can I get in return if I help?' It is pride that makes what a man does for others a selfish act. 

Jesus calls for humility that makes it possible for us to serve those who will never be able to recompense us in any way. We do it simply because the Lord has told us to do it, and we do it because we consider those to whom we minister worthy of such ministry. 

Your attitude will determine your altitude and your altitude is determined by your service. The only service which is acceptable before God is that which is done in humility.

3. Humility Receives Divine Recognition

"For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11/Matt. 23:12). The first part of the statement is in reference to anyone who sets out to make himself number one at the expense of all others. Remember, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18. 

It is out of humility that the Divinity acts on our prayers; "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) It is our humility that Divinity smiles on us. Beloved, be humble.

"Those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11. This part is not actually talking about just here and now. This is more of an eschatological statement. Jesus is pointing to the Divine arrangement of time and season yet to come. According to Jesus, the new Jerusalem (earth) is promised to the meek (Matt. 5:5). Christ was an illustrative example of this humility, that is why Paul exalts us to have the same mindset of Christ Jesus, Who, being in very nature of God, humbled Himself, therefore, God exalted him to the highest place (Philippians 2). The Hebrew writer concludes this by saying "We do have such a high priest [Jesus Christ], who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven" Hebrews 8:1. This is the state of Christ's exaltation. Our set joy in this life.

In essence, humility on earth receives divine recognition which brings exaltation. Christ's judgment on the final day is to sieve the humble from the proud. Only those found in humility will be exalted.

Conclusion

Precious one, humility is not stupidity. It is a virtue you and I need to overcome the devil in our life on earth as well as a boarding pass to enter Heaven's gate.

Shalom aleichem...